NHTSA vehicle safety data
2005 BMW 325XI Recalls & Complaints
The 2005 BMW 325XI has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 27 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 BMW 325XI. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2005 BMW 325XI owner complaints
Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 BMW 325XI, describing incidents dated May 13, 2006 to June 11, 2021.
Most-cited components
- Air Bags 18 complaints
- Unknown or Other 3 complaints
- Electrical System 2 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 2 complaints
- Suspension 2 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 2 complaints
Of the 27 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 2 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11664609 · Filed
The contact owns a 2005 BMW 325XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was…
ODI #11601478 · Filed
The contact owns a 2005 BMW 325XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V31800 (Air Bags) and 14V428000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a…
ODI #11420531 · Filed
Front Passenger side window regulator broke. Rolled window down would not go back up could hear motor working . One month later same exact thing just happened to back passenger window
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2005 BMW 325XI in 5 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Engineering Analysis EA15-001: Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since February 24, 2015
- Recall 14V-668
- Recall 15V-284
- Recall 15V-285
- Recall 15V-286
- Recall 15V-287
- Recall 15V-312
- and 188 more on the investigation page
- Preliminary Evaluation PE14-016: Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Closed March 2, 2015
- Recall 13V-172
- Recall 14V-428
- Recall 14V-700
- Recall 14V-763
- Recall 14V-770
- Recall 14V-787
- and 3 more on the investigation page
- Engineering Analysis EA09-019: Rear Lamp Illumination
Closed September 28, 2011
- Preliminary Evaluation PE09-036: REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
Closed December 22, 2009
- Defect Petition DP09-002: REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
Closed August 6, 2009
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflators May Explode
NHTSA #20V018000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported January 15, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 292,948 vehicles
Repair completion: 42.41% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified February 13, 2020 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Safety consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Manufacturer remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Passenger Side Air Bag Inflator may Rupture
NHTSA #14V428000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice
Reported June 11, 2018 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 574,007 vehicles
Repair completion: 29.07% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified December 1, 2014 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Safety consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Manufacturer remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.This is an expansion of NHTSA Recall 13V-172.
Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
NHTSA #15V318000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported May 28, 2015 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 419,235 vehicles
Repair completion: 33.39% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified August 19, 2016 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Safety consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Manufacturer remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
REAR LAMPS IN BODY PANEL
NHTSA #11V438000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights · NHTSA notice
Reported August 26, 2011 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
Potentially affected: 241,000 vehicles
Owners notified February 15, 2012 · Vehicles built September 1, 2001 – March 1, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 325I, 325XI, 330I, AND 330XI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2001, THROUGH MARCH 1, 2005. OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO STOP WORKING.
Safety consequence
INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Manufacturer remedy
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
Notes
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Other BMW 325XI model years
Check your 2005 BMW 325XI VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 325XI at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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